Police apology after ‘burglar’ swoop on soccer fan’s family
POLICE have apologised to a football fan after he and his family were mistaken for burglars and swooped on by police.
Eric Wroot’s sons Ben and Nat had arranged to take their dad for a meal at Burnley FC’s trophy room last October after having to postpone the event when his mother died.
Mr Wroot, a lifelong Clarets fan from Rising Bridge and his sons, aged 21 and 25, arrived at Turf Moor at 5.30pm, with their meal booked for 6pm, but the door appeared to be locked.
As they looked for the correct entrance they were shocked to find themselves surrounded by three police vans and a police car.
“Unbeknown to us the security guard at the club had called police, wrongly thinking we were trying to break in,” Mr Wroot said.
“The three vans turned up first and we were just pretty bemused as to why they were there and then a fourth police vehicle arrived. The officer got out all guns blazing and just slammed one of my sons against the wall
“It was so heavy-handed; we were just rugby tackled by a gang of cops.
“I was pushed up against a wall and kept trying to tell them I have a pacemaker fitted and a stent because I was worried about what was happening.”
As a result of the ensuing skirmish, Ben’s £600 jacket was ripped and Nat reportedly suffered broken ribs.
The Free Press has obtained a copy of the CCTV from Burnley FC which appears to show officers talking to the men before the fourth police vehicle turns up and a scuffle breaks out.
Mr Wroot, 51, later made a complaint to Lancashire Constabulary’s professional standards department and has received the investigating officer’s report but is unhappy with the force’s response and plans to refer the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
As part of his complaint Mr Wroot obtained a statement from one of the officers involved who told his bosses he “would have dealt with it differently”.
The statement, seen by the Observer, reveals the officer did not think any of the men were drunk and disorderly and he didn’t see a reason for anyone to be arrested.
He also said the incident “escalated needlessly” and police could have dealt with it differently.
The officer added that while “officers have different perceptions” he would not have arrested the two men .
He added: “I personally feel the males could have been spoken to a little longer and advised, warned to leave before things turned out as they did.
“I saw things were getting heated and I actually tried to intervene between (one of the officers) and one of the males... however, just as I was attempting to do so... (two more officers) arrived and it just seemed to suddenly get out of control.”
When Mr Wroot’s sons arrived at Greenbank Police Station in Blackburn the custody sergeant “refused detention”, the officer’s statement added.
The sergeant considered both men were not drunk and did not need to spend time in a cell to sober up.
Burnley Football Club have also apologised to the three men and, in a report seen by LancsLive, the club said that while the security guard “acted in good faith” he has since accepted that he “acted hastily” and “in hindsight he didn’t need to call the police”.
Mr Wroot said he was so disgusted by what happened he has asked for a refund for the season ticket he has held for 10 years.
Lancashire Constabulary has now issued an apology to Mr Wroot.
A Lancashire police spokesman said: ““Following a thorough review by Lancashire Police’s Professional Standards Department, we responded to the complainant’s concerns in April. The complainant has exercised their right to have the complaint reviewed by the IOPC and we welcome their findings.
“As a force we strive to constantly uphold the standards of professional behaviour as set out by our
Policing Code of Ethics, which includes remaining professional and treating everyone with respect and courtesy.
“We have apologised to the complainant.”
Burnley FC did not respond when approached by the Observer, however in an email to Mr Wroot they apologised and outlined their plan of action.
The club’s head of operations, Doug Metcalfe, said: “The club has made a formal apology for the incident
“We have conducted a review of our operational procedures since the incident.
“We have offered a complimentary table for you and your family in the Trophy Restaurant as and when it reopens.
“We do sincerely wish for this matter to be resolved to a satisfactory conclusion.”